Assembly election results catapult BJP to the pinnacle of Indian politics

NEW DELHI: The swagger was back at 11, Ashoka Road on Thursday. BJP rejoiced at the breakthrough in the North-East but the party president, the rather clinical Amit Shah, had more than just that in mind. The political manoeuvre to isolate Congress could now well and truly begin in Parliament.

There are two clear takeaways: Thursday’s winners, Trinamool Congress and AIADMK, see Congress as a bigger adversary than BJP on their turfs; and BJP’s own victory in Assam and improvement in south meant the momentum that had shifted post-Bihar was back.

Addressing BJP workers, PM Narendra Modi said the victory in Assam has made it clear that the party is rapidly receiving "popular acceptance" in all parts of the country, which "augurs well" for democracy.

"Those who tried to obstruct Parliament and the Narendra Modi government’s development agenda have been shown their place," thundered Shah in his first remarks after the results, indicating clearly that Parliament was weighing heavy on his mind.

The first impact could be on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. As Bhupendra Yadav, chairman of the GST Select Committee, pointed out to ET, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had not given a dissent note, and he felt there was now greater scope to forge consensus. Similarly, Trinamool has indicated it will work with the government to make GST happen.


More importantly, BJP sources told ET, the conversations with the Opposition will now centre around key regional parties such as Trinamool and AIADMK, rather than Congress, which has faced a rout across states, except Puducherry.

In the Rajya Sabha, where Congress is the largest party, BJP would count on AIADMK, Trinamool and maybe other regional parties to politically distance themselves from the GOP. After all, parties like Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Left combine, which partnered with Congress, did not have anything to show for gains.

This, sources said, may throw up new conversation possibilities which would augur well for the ruling party.

"These results are significant in terms of reforms, consensus (in Parliament) and progressive agenda (of the government)… Congress’ arrogance will be down," Yadav told ET.

And for this reason, Shah played up the rhetoric against Congress while refraining from conveying any bitterness towards regional parties. In fact, he sought cooperation at the national level. "I have also sent the message (of cooperation)," Shah quipped to a query on Mamata Banerjee’s conciliatory remarks after the results. "We will welcome whoever comes forward for the development of the country," Shah added.

He had a conciliatory message for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa too: "I have sent her my greetings". This is significant because even though it was the DMK-Congress alliance which was AIADMK’s main rival, BJP too had floated an anti-Jayalalithaa front and was considerably caustic during the campaign.

Electorally, a significant achievement for BJP in Assam is that it could win in a state with over 30 per cent minority population. "The secular propagandists have believed that BJP can’t win in a state with over 25 per cent minority votes. This has been debunked in Assam," said a BJP leader.

Coming ahead of the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh elections next year, the victory will surely lift the mood among BJP cadres, especially after successive defeats in Delhi and Bihar last year.

But Shah didn’t venture too far ahead. Asked if BJP will project a CM candidate in UP like in Assam, Shah said: "There has been no decision on that."

With Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal set to quit the government to take over as Assam CM, the reshuffle buzz is set to get louder though Shah refused to get drawn into the question.